Nutritional Counseling

3 Nutrition Counseling Strategies That Will Transform Your Life

 

TED Video - Dr. Wendy Pogozelski speaks about how knowledge is power in nutrition.

 

Everywhere you turn, there’s a different diet book or plan promising you’ll lose weight fast. But what works?  Well, some experts from Prevention.com provided the following tips.

 

DON’T FOCUS JUST ON CARBS

 

1 “Cutting carbs can lead to weight loss, but only if it results in an overall calorie deficit,” says Georgie Fear, nutrition coach and author of “Lean Habits for Lifelong Weight Loss.”

“If you cut out all carbs but add lots of oil and nuts in their place, you might not lose weight because you aren’t reducing overall calories.”

Instead of demonizing or glorifying one single nutrient, try to reduce the overall number of calories you take in.

 

SKIP THE SCALE

 

2 “One of my top tips is to avoid the scale and instead use your pants as a guide to your weight,” says Jessica Levinson, nutritional counselor and consultant at Nutritioulicious.

 

“The number on the scale can be an important measurement for health, but it can fluctuate based on so many different factors, like time of day, fluid intake, and exercise. How our clothes fit often tells a more accurate story.” If it’s tough to button your jeans, then it’s time to take a look at your food intake.

 

3. Here’s a shocker: If you’re not taking the time actually to pay attention to what you eat, you’ll never lose weight. In other words, mindlessly shoveling food down your gullet while you check e-mail or watch TV will likely cause you to overeat.

Instead, give your food your full attention, says Mitzi Dulan, nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals and author of The Pinterest Diet.

 

Research shows that people who eat their food mindfully are 34 percent less likely to be obese than people who don’t. How can you become more mindful at mealtimes? “Only eat at the kitchen table,” Dulan says.

 

 

Health Insurance Companies

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Health Insurance Companies

Humana is one of the largest and best-known health insurance companies in the United States. It offers health care services for individuals, business owners and military personnel.

 

Aetna has been providing health insurance to Connecticut residents since 1853, and today covers people in all 50 states. It is a pioneer in health care legislation and is responsible for making coverage of genetic testing and counseling an industry standard.

 

UnitedHealthCare is the largest single health care carrier in the United States. It currently covers approximately 70 million Americans and contributes large amounts of money to medical research every year.

 

Kaiser Permanente is a unique health care management program that is located mainly in the western United States. In California, Colorado and seven other states, patients who have Kaiser coverage get health care services, including hospital stays, at Kaiser health facilities.

 

Cigna is a worldwide health insurance organization that covers individuals, families and employers. It has been in business for over 30 years.

 

Anthem is one of the better-known national insurance companies. It operates under different names, depending on what state a patient is from, but covers patients throughout the United States.

 

Assurant has been offering a variety of insurance plans, including health insurance, for the last 100 years. It was named one of Forbes’ 50 Most Trustworthy Companies for 2014.

 

Health Net offers coverage to people in Arizona, California and Colorado. It is a California Market Plan associate, which means that low-income patients in California can get discounted insurance via Health Net under ACA rules.

 

United American began in 1947 as a one-man enterprise. Today, it is a national health care insurer based in Texas.

 

American Republic Insurance was founded just before the Great Depression, and it is now a national insurer offering customized health insurance plans.

 

eHealth is a private online marketplace helping individuals and families find Medicare, vision, dental and general health insurance plans. Consumers answer a few questions to get tailored insurance recommendations, quotes and plan comparisons.

 

Health Plans of America is not a health insurer. Instead, it provides consumers with competitive health insurance quotes for seniors, families, individuals, and young adults who want to save money by using the company’s website to request a free health insurance quote.

 

Bibliography
Best Health Insurance Companies for 2016 . (1970). Retrieved on January 13, 2016, from http://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/health.html.

3 Surefire Steps for Beating the Assisted Living Blues

Assisted Living

Seniors today are not the seniors of yesteryear-most live full, active, and balanced lives. So deciding to move into assisted living, senior community, or another type of senior housing can be a confusing process for seniors and their families alike. The process of choosing assisted living communities can be daunting, but fortunately, there are resources that can help you.

 

We’ve compiled questions to ask and things to think about when considering assisted living communities. Choosing the right community requires serious consideration, so take your time when evaluating the services, features, and policies offered by those communities.

 

Atmosphere

  • As you arrive at the residence, do you like its location and outward appearance?

  • As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and homelike?

  • Do you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?

  • Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?

  • Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?

  • Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?

  • Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?

  • Are staff members appropriately dressed, personable, and outgoing?

  • Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?

  • Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?

  • Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?

Physical Features

  • Is the community well-designed for your needs?

  • Is the floor plan easy to follow?

  • Are doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and walkers?

  • Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?

  • Does a physician or nurse visit residents regularly to provide medical checkups?

  • To what extent are medical services available and how are these services provided?

  • Are handrails available to aid in walking?

  • Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?

  • Are floors made of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?

  • Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?

  • Is the residence clean, free of odors, and appropriately heated/cooled?

  • Does the residence have sprinklers and clearly marked exits?

  • Does the residence have a means of security if a resident wanders?

Needs Assessments, Contracts, Costs & Finances

  • Is a contractual agreement available that discloses healthcare and supportive services, all fees, as well as admission and discharge provisions? What are the policies for refunds and transfers?

  • Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?

  • Does the residence have a process for assessing a potential resident’s need for services and are those needs addressed periodically?

  • Does this process include the resident, and his or her family and facility staff, along with the potential resident’s physician?

  • Are there any government, private, or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?

Services

  • Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?

  • Can the residence provide a list of services available?

  • Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include dressing, eating, mobility, hygiene and grooming, bathing, toileting, using the telephone, shopping, and laundry.

  • Does the residence provide housekeeping services in residents’ units?

  • Can residents arrange for transportation on fairly short notice?

  • Are pharmacy, barber/beautician, and/or physical therapy services offered on-site?

It’s important to be prepared when calling and touring assisted living centers. Each community is unique, if you’ve seen one assisted living facility; you’ve seen one assisted living facility. Review the checklist below to stay organized, compare communities and ask the right questions to help you decide on the community that’s right for your loved one.

 

Questions to Ask When you Call or Visit

  1. What is your staff-to-resident ratio?

  2. What kind of experience and training does your staff possess?

  3. How many staffers are on duty overnight?

  4. Can staff administer medications?

  5. Do you have a nurse on staff 24/7?

  6. Do you have any experience with (issues or diagnosis of your care recipient)?

  7. Do you do an initial assessment prior to admission?

  8. What types of apartments are available?

  9. What is the monthly cost per apartment type?

  10. If there is a wait list, how many are on it and what is the policy?

  11. Tell me about some of the current residents.

  12. Do you have any outdoor space?

  13. What is your discharge policy?

  14. What additional services are available if the needs of a resident change?

  15. What are your billing and payment policies?

  16. Are all services included in the monthly fee? If not, what and how much are additional services?

Caregiver Jobs

Caregiver Jobs – A caregiver is someone who provides much needed care to someone who can’t provide it for themselves. Most of the time those needing a caregiver are adults or the elderly. Sometimes they are people who have been diagnosed with a disease and are unable to take care of themselves.

 

 

Caregiver jobs typically depend on the demands of the employer or patient. This person can either work independently or service in an assisted living facility or medical center.

 

 

You or someone you may know may be considering a shift in career choice. Maybe you need a career where there are no age requirements. Or maybe it’s possible that you are looking for a career that will last beyond your retirement age.  If this is you than you should definitely take care giving into deep consideration.

 

 

As you may know, caregiving entails a lot of responsibilities. Some people have a natural ease in caring for and dealing with the elderly. Most importantly, you must know all the possibilities and range of things that can happen while you’re on the job. You must be properly equipped to deal with problems that may arise when caregiving for the needy.

 

 

There are short courses that every caregiver must take. This may be a licensure requirement in your state. This will qualify you to become a certified caregiver. It’s also important to take these courses because clients may look for these credentials when picking you as their caregiver. By taking these courses you will be better educated and able to handle the pressures of caregiving.

 

 

 

When taking care of the elderly or needy, you will have to do more than just tend to their physical needs and demands. You will need to be in control of their medical requirements as well. That is why having a medical background or having some education in the field is essential.

 

 

It’s important to have a pleasant personality as well. You must have a good mental disposition. This is because you will have to watch over and care for another person. The client’s life is in your hands and their loved ones will need to know that you are in control and trustworthy. Not all older people or needy are the same when it comes to their temperament.

 

 

Some older people may be gentle and cooperative. Others may be difficult to handle. You must have a lot of patience and understanding. If you get depressed easily or are easily downtrodden yourself then this may not be the right job for you.

 

 

Caregiver jobs are not always simple or easy. Although, they can be financially rewarding and bring a sense of fulfillment to your life.  If you are the type of person with compassion for yourself and others then you would love caregiving.

 

 

The compassion of a caregiver is second nature to them.  They will likely have known all their life taking care of others is right for them. Whatever you choose, don’t forget there are special courses that must be taken before entering this profession.

 

 

 

 Caregivers are also known as home health or personal care aides. They may help in areas such as bathing, feeding, taking patients for walks, and taking medications to name a few. They may help patients with making appointments, providing transportation, or just being a companion and support.

 

According to statistics, caregivers typically make $20,170 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS.) Caregivers must have great attention to detail and follow specific rules and schedules. They must be sensitive to the patient’s fragility. Caregivers make sure patients wake up on time and take their medication on schedule.

 

 

Some responsibilities even include light housekeeping. Some patients may not be able to move on their own but their homes need to be cleaned. Caregivers will tidy up the patient’s space and enhance their living situation.

 

 

Companionship is also a main factor in caregiving. You are there to be their friend and support through their difficult situation. You must have a can do attitude and bring a sense of order.

 

 

If you believe caregiving is for you then it’s best to take the appropriate courses and place your foot in the caregiving world!

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Home Care For The Elderly

How to find good home care for the elderly?

 

Needs

 

First consider the actual care needs and write out a list of items that need to be provided.

 

Be able to give an example of a typical day for the care recipient, from the moment they wake up until they go to bed and include a timeline of when they prefer meals, naps and other activities.

 

 

Hands-on

 

How much hands-on care is needed vs. companion care?

If more companion care is needed, make a list of possible activities.

 

 

Transportation

 

Do you need a Caregiver who can escort the client to doctor’s appointments and social activities?

 

If so, what mode of transportation will they use?

Will the Caregiver drive the client in the client’s car?

 

Keep in mind that you may need to research your car insurance coverage if this is the case.

 

Will the Caregiver drive the client in the Caregiver’s car?

If so, be

aware that it will be difficult to be 100% sure that the Caregiver’s insurance policy is up-to-date even if you verify this in the beginning.

 

If they have a late or missed payment the policy could be cancelled without your knowledge.

 

Will they take public transportation (bus or taxi cab)?

 

This is probably the safest method of transportation to prevent the risks of insurance issues.

 

(Some cities provide special transportation privileges for seniors and you may want to contact your local Department on Aging for information).

 

 

Memory Loss

 

Is there memory loss?

 

If so, have you had the type of Memory Loss diagnosed (Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, Pick’s Disease, Frontal Lobe Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Lewy Body Disease, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease)?

 

Blood clots and brain tumors may also cause dementia.

 

A diagnosis of dementia type will help the agency to better understand the care needs and assign a Caregiver with the right type of training and qualifications.

 

 

Language

 

Do you need a Caregiver who speaks a certain language?

 

Hours

 

How many hours of care per day will you require?

 

Review the list of services you will need performed during the care visit and decide on the minimum number of hours per day which would work as a starting point.

 

The agency will need to know the hours of service to assign a Caregiver and will allow you to adjust the hours after the first week to accurately meet the care needs.

 

Dietary

 

Are there any special cooking requirements?

 

Communicate any food allergies or specific cooking requests and consider how groceries will be purchased or delivered if the care recipient is unable to shop for groceries on their own.

 

 

Additional Skills

 

Are there any “skilled” care requirements, such as taking blood pressure, blood sugar testing, wound care or a feeding tube?

 

Communicate if these specialized services will need to be performed or monitored.

 

 

Medication Management

 

What is the care recipients method for managing medications?

 

Do you know for sure if the medications are currently being taken correctly?

 

Be able to provide a list of medications and the method of monitoring so the Agency will be aware of possible side effects and other requirements such as taking pills with or without food, etc.

 

 

Care Management

 

Will Care Management be required?

 

As Caregivers are responsible for providing the “hands-on” care, they do not have time to manage the overall care issues.

 

A trained Care Manager can supervise all of the care needs, from organizing medications in a pillbox and obtaining refills (due to insurance purposes, this service usually must be provided by a Supervisor or R.N. depending on the state laws), to arranging doctor’s appointments and other necessary services.

 

A Geriatric Care Manager will work with family members and take on responsibilities which they are unable to perform and provide professional expertise in guiding the long-term care decisions.

 

Start a Homecare Company

Starting a Home Care Company

How to Start a Home Care Company the Right Way

 

Kimberly Tyler, a registered nurse, explains how to start a home care company. Are you considering starting a home care company?  If yes, consider hiring a consultant. It’s important to have guidance on these three main items:

 

1. How to hire excellent employees

 

2. How to deliver great customer service and create an experience that the client will take him not get anywhere else.

 

3. How to develop a strategic marketing plan the market is competitive, and there’s more more going into the business everyday.

 

For more information, go to www.elitehhcs.com